Evidence
How claims are backed by proof, not assertion.
Self-reported information is unreliable. "We're pet-friendly" means nothing without evidence.
Evidence over assertion
The system prioritises evidence nodes — claims with provenance:
| Evidence type | Example |
|---|---|
| Curator attestation | DMO confirms venue location and operation |
| Third-party review | TripAdvisor rating with link to source |
| Certification | AA 4-star rating, Green Tourism badge |
| Booking history | Pattern of successful stays |
Every claim should answer: Who said this? When? Can I verify it?
DMO verification
Destination Marketing Organisations are natural trust anchors:
Local knowledge
DMOs know their territory. Visit Cornwall can verify Cornish venues in ways no global platform can.
Ongoing relationship
DMOs work with venues continuously. They spot changes, closures, and quality shifts.
Public accountability
DMOs are public bodies with reputation at stake. Their endorsement carries weight.
Structured verification
DMOs can verify: existence, location, accessibility, sustainability credentials.
Curator attestation
Curators (including DMOs) vouch for venues with signed, verifiable attestations:
- "This venue exists and operates"
- "We have verified their identity"
- "They meet our standards"
Trust scoring
Agents can weight trust signals:
| Signal | Weight |
|---|---|
| Multiple Curator endorsements | Higher trust |
| Recent verification | Higher trust |
| Specific claims | Higher than generic |
Agents decide how to weight signals. The specs provide the data; the agent applies judgement.
Implementation
See the Identity Specification for technical details.